The debauchery and nihilism of the 1970s rock scene is perfectly captured in the Andaz West Hollywood, a hotel on the Sunset Strip that was then called the Continental Hyatt House and later the Hyatt on Sunset.
Bands like The Doors, The Who, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin all spent time at the “Riot House,” trashing their hotel rooms, starting fires and convincing their managers to pick up the tab. Keith Richards made room 1015 famous for dropping a TV out the window and drummer John Bonham reportedly rode a motorcycle along the hallways during a stay.
Brian Unger, host of Travel Channel’s “Time Traveling with Brian Unger,” visited the hotel for an episode on the historic hotels of Los Angeles. He focused on the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood, as Unger and his cast got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the most famous historic hotels of L.A., including the Biltmore, Beverly Hills Hotel and Andaz Hotels.
Unger met up with KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis at the Andaz West Hollywood to relive the hotel’s glory days. Sadly, the televisions are now all bolted to the wall.
The LA hotels episode of “Time Traveling with Brian Unger” airs Monday, May 18 at 10 pm PST.
Watch this short video about the rock history of the Continental Hyatt House: